“Oh my god…” I whispered to myself.
I was afraid; afraid for Jace and Seb, and the fact that, if he released those fireballs, this whole town would probably go up in flames. Sensing Seb, I knew he was trying to hold back his shift until I gave the okay which I wouldn’t. The further Seb stayed back, the safer he was.
Fuck! I don’t know what to do!
Unfortunately, Jace didn’t give me another second to make a plan. The hundreds of blazing red balls zoomed away from his body. This time, it seemed I was just as much of a target as Seb. The fear for my mate kicked into overdrive, and my body acted on its own. I held out my hands and closed my eyes.
“Protect.”
The soft command had my powers responding with strength. I could feel the kinetic energy pulse out of my chest and into my hands with life and power.
The fire was closing in so fast, I could feel the heat brush against my skin. I opened my eyes. The fireballs were merely an inch away from slamming into me, over me, and past me when suddenly, they smacked into a barrier I created. The balls which were still coming at full speed met the same fate as they, too, hit my shield and sizzled out like a candle that was put out. I was amazed by the sight of my hands releasing this grand force field of protection that my concentration slipped. An angry fireball swept through, singeing my shoulder. It burned into my skin momentarily, setting it ablaze. I screamed, dropping to one knee. The pressure of the fire against my barrier, combined with the pain in my shoulder, made it even harder to concentrate. I quickly latched back to my ability to keep the barrier up. Protect Seb was the only thought that kept me strong at the moment.
There was a ferocious growl from behind, and I knew Seb had shifted and things were going to go from bad to worse. I couldn’t turn to warn him or even look at him because I didn’t want to risk losing the shield. I should have known nothing I would say could stop Seb.
The sound of his paws hitting the ground greeted my ears. My mate used my back as a launching pad to leap into the air. After this was over, I would have to remember to be mad at him for jumping off me. For now, I could only watch as his huge black wolf soared over the wall of electricity and fire with a grace and determination I didn’t see coming. After clearing the twenty foot jump, Seb landed safely on the side. He wasted no time gunning for a still absent-looking Jace.
I forced myself back on two legs. I didn’t fully understand what was wrong with Jace, but if I didn’t get to him, Seb will kill him.
The fireballs changed direction and began to follow Seb. Gathering a power from deep inside, I began bending the electrical wall. It followed my command as if it were clay. I used all my strength to mold the huge static wall in a sphere, enclosing all the fire inside before they caught up to my mate. The exertion had my body trembling as if a current was running through me.
The final structure was so massive, it blocked my view of Seb and Jace. Wind started whipping my hair wildly as I forced energy into the sphere. The fire inside was fighting back, adding to my surprise. However, I was stronger.
The pressure inside grew and grew and cracked and popped until it exploded! The boom was so loud and so powerful, it swept me off my feet. The heat of the explosion fanned over my skin, making me feel like I was burning alive without the flames.
Even after it was over, I lay on the ground, weak and disoriented. My ears were ringing from the sound of the explosion. Slowly, my eyes opened after several failed attempts, and after a few more seconds, I could already see clearly.
I was in the cornfield across the street from Cora’s house. Judging by how far away Cora’s house appeared to be, the explosion blew me a good hundred yards. The corn stalks and grass around me was blackened and dead. My skin was red and welted from the heat, but at least, nothing was on fire. I tried to stand, but my body wasn’t ready to cooperate. My legs felt like jelly and instantly gave out on me.
It wasn’t long before Seb came dashing up the burnt path that led to me. He was back in human form in his tattered shorts. Other than the worried look on his face, he appeared to be okay. I sagged to the ground with relief.
“Oh god, Ana.” He choked, kneeling beside me. My mate quickly began assessing the damage and ignored my weak attempts to stop him.
“Wha- what happened? Did you…?” I couldn’t finish the question I needed the answer to. If Seb killed Jace, it would hurt me on a level I wasn’t ready to deal with. The guilt already began to sink in.
“No.” He growled, and a breath of relief escaped me. “But I would have if his grandmother hadn’t stopped me.”
“Helia?” I uttered, slightly confused.
“Yes. The crone came outside just as I made my final vault to rip his throat out. She froze me midair and then snapped her fingers. Jace went unconscious to the ground. A second later, the explosion you caused shocked us all.” He told me as he pulled me into his arms.
“Was anyone hurt?” I know what it did to me, but I didn’t know how the explosion affected the others.
“No. The rest of us were far enough to avoid injury. So drink up.” He asserted, pressing his wrist to my lips. I gently pushed it away.
“I’m fine. I need to talk to Jace. Besides, I’m already healing.” I added, pointing to the welts that were already looking pink instead of the previous angry red.
“Ana, please, for me.” He pled.
It wasn’t his words but the look in his eyes that had me caving. Seb was scared for me, and I could understand that because I felt the same fear for him only minutes ago. Giving up the argument, I lightly sunk my fangs into his wrist. The blood flooded my mouth, and I moaned in pure pleasure. Every time I drink his blood, it l was like I was dehydrated and he was reviving me; giving me new life.
I forced myself to stop when I began feeling energized and healed. Satisfied, we jogged back to Cora’s house. All my friends were outside, and they rushed to greet and hug us before we even made it up the driveway.
“Thank goodness you’re okay, Ana.” Simon cheered, engulfing me first.
“I’m guessing more than okay,” added Lily, wiggling her eyebrows at me like she knew a secret.
“Can’t keep a Walker down, huh.” Bobby added, patting my back.
I was a little surprised to see him still here but figured I’d address that later. Marie hugged me, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Can somebody tell me what the heck happened out here? Cora wouldn’t let us out the house.” Lily grumbled.
I ignored her. My eyes locked with Helia’s as she stood on the porch. I had so much to discuss with the witch, I didn’t know where to begin. I take that back. I knew exactly where to start. Pushing past my friends, I darted up the driveway and up the porch steps with Seb on my heels and our friends trailing him.
“What the hell is going on?!” I demanded when I reached her.
Helia just remained at ease like nothing happened only minutes ago.
“Please, calm down, Analise…”
“I will not calm down! Jace just tried to kill us! I want to know why. Where is he?” I was trying to remain calm, believe it or not, but it was hard. This woman held secrets to my past, and just being near her angered me.
“Jace is inside, resting.” That was all I needed to hear. I would ask him myself what the hell his problem was. I tried to move past her, but Helia blocked the door. “He needs to rest.”
“Fuck his rest! He needs to explain!” I yelled, frustrated. She had about a second to move or I would move her.
“My grandson is at a crucial time. His magic is beginning to peak, and that, combined with his emotions, makes him…” She paused, “Unstable.”
“Unstable?” I scoffed. “Well, move and let’s see if I can give him some…” I paused, “Stability.”
Lily choked on a laugh.
Helia narrowed her eyes. “You know, Analise, you should take responsibility for your part in this. After all, when you chose to fully mate with Seb, you rejected your other mates, causing
them unimaginable heartbreak that in some cases, triggers physical pain. It’s a lot to deal with especially when the rejected mate chooses to remain bonded to you.” Helia said.
Her words were like a punch in the gut. Jace knew. Not only that, but he was hurting because of it. The guilt of that sunk into my heart. I knew this was a consequence, but I wasn’t ready to face it. Did that pain turn him into a killer? Why didn’t he just let me go? The only one who could answer those questions was on the other side of the door. Regardless of his pain, he didn’t have the right to threaten the life of my mate. I stood taller and stepped closer to the witch.
“Move.” I commanded. Helia stared into my eyes. I didn’t blink. She searched my face for a few seconds longer before slowly stepping aside. I proceeded to open the door with Seb right behind me.
“Seb?” Marie’s soft voice stopped us. She was the furthest in the back and was not standing on the porch with the rest of us. For the first time in a long time, Marie looked unsure and scared. But it was directed solely at her brother.
Seb tensed. I laid a hand on his shoulder. When he turned to me, I knew he was torn between going inside to confront Jace with me and consoling his sister. Marie needed him. I knew they had a lot to talk about with him changing into a wolf and disappearing with me for days. I assured him with my eyes to go to her. I could handle Jace. He planted a quick sweet kiss on my lips before heading down the stairs.
I opened the front door, but, before I could cross the threshold, Helia warned. “I’ll be listening, Analise. If you try to kill my grandson, I will use force to stop you.”
I didn’t turn to face her. “I’m not going to kill him, but that doesn’t mean this won’t hurt a little…”
***
Kim
It took me days, but I finally tracked him down. Talon. True to his cowardness, I found him hiding out in a sleazy motel similar to the last one I’d found him in. Not wasting another second, I leapt up to the second story balcony room where I knew Talon was. Kicking the door open, I was surprised to find him sitting on the bed alone as if waiting for me.
“Took you long enough,” Talon said with a smirk.
Stunned, I only stared at him. I glanced around the room looking for the whore of the night I was expecting to see, but he was alone.
“How’d you know I was coming?” I asked, finally stepping into the room and closing the broken door behind me.
“Because you’re my minor. It’s in your blood to find me.” Talon explained, pulling out a cigarette from his jean pocket.
“Minor? What are you talking about?” I asked, watching him light up and take a deep drag.
“When I changed you into a vampire, you already had feelings for me. No matter how big or small they may have been, when my venom turned you, it exploited those feeling and created a coupling. When that happens, the new vampire feels overwhelming attachment to their creator. The new vampire becomes the minor. If the creating vampire feels the same during the transformation, they will also have the coupling and become the major.” He eyed me up and down lustfully.
“So, your venom turned me into your stalker?” I scrunched my face. “That’s bullshit.”
“Do you think it’s your amazing tracking skills that led you here? Please, Kim. I’ve been a vampire for a long time. I know how to hide my scent. And I did just that to see if you could still find me and you did which means you used the coupling created from my venom inside you to lead you here. I’m honestly surprised it worked. Your feelings for me must have been stronger than I thought. The last human I turned didn’t become my minor.” Talon muttered the last part as if it still haunted him.
Kim stepped closer to the edge of the bed. “So, I’m some love sick Talon groupie.” I spat.
Talon laughed, putting out his cigarette with his bare foot on the ugly multicolored carpet.
“Oh, hot stuff, don’t be mad. It’s not a bad thing. You’ll be loyal to me forever even if you don’t want to,” he said, running his hands up my thighs as I stood before him.
“Will you be loyal to me? Are you my major?” I asked.
Talon’s hands froze on my hips.
“Creating a major-minor coupling isn’t easy or a science. I only know one vampire named Cassandra who can successfully create the coupling every time she turns a human. In most cases, the human hates their creator and eventually tries to kill them.” Talon informed me as he began to massage my inner thighs.
“You didn’t answer the question.” I pushed, not allowing him to distract me.
Talon smiled, and I melted a little. He stood up, now towering above me. Talon closed the space between us so that his body was flushed against mine. Slowly, he bent down until our lips touched. I knew it was over. I immediately responded to the kiss. The feel of his lips ignited a desire in me that was unexplainable. No matter what Talon did, I knew he was right. I would be loyal to him. I also knew in the back of my mind that Talon didn’t feel the same way for me. He probably didn’t care at all.
It angered me.
I pressed my hands on the side of his face and kissed him harder; the ardor and anger swirling together in madness. Talon fell back on the bed, and I climbed on top of him. I couldn’t deny what my body wanted any longer. It may seem crazy to want someone so bad when they would never feel the same for you, but I didn’t care right now. After all I’d been through for him, I felt entitled to have at least this. From the lust in his expression, I knew Talon wanted me, and that would have to be enough. For now.
I slowly pulled my tiny top over my head. Talon’s eye widened, and he caught my hand in the air.
“When did you get this?” Talon questioned, staring at her palm.
I snatched my hand back. I’d tried relentlessly to wash the marks on my palm away, but the black symbol was etched beneath my skin.
“I got it when I was at the castle” I replied quietly. Talon pushed me off him.
“Who gave it to you? TELL ME!” He screamed. His eyes changed to black, and his fangs had burst free. I wanted to shrink away but had nowhere to run to.
“Ra-Ra-Raven. She said her name was Raven.” I sputtered. “She said she was a dark witch, and she did this to me in exchange for some werewolf venom stuff that she had that would save you. So, I agreed to be her link or whatever to save your life!” I shouted back growing angry. I didn’t understand why Talon was mad. If it wasn’t for me, he’d be dead.
“You stupid, stupid girl.” Talon sighed, shaking his head.
Kim stood. “I did it for you! What’s the big deal, anyway?”
I knew it was bad, but Talon’s reaction had me fearing the worst.
“The big deal is you just signed away your life to a dark witch; one who can’t be killed because she’s linked her life to your immortality. Judging by the one eye in the center of the pentagram on your palm, it’s a one way link which also means if someone tries to kill her, you will feel the pain and she will feel nothing.”
I gasped.
“Oh, that’s not even the worst part, hot stuff. She can tap into you anytime she wants as well.”
“What do you mean by tap into me?” I whimpered. This was turning out to be worse than I imagined.
Talon began putting on his shoes.
“It means she can take over your damn body! You won’t have any control or say in it. What you did by agreeing to this was sign yourself to a death sentence.” Talon slipped into his leather jacket, and I finally realized what he was doing.
“Wait! You’re leaving me?! No, please help me! I did this to save your life.” I begged, jumping from the bed and falling to my knees before him.
I was terrified. If what Talon said was true, the witch would be coming for me soon. I remembered Raven’s words of seeing me again.
Talon gently stroked my face, wiping the tears as they fell.
“Raven is a powerful witch. When she comes for you, she won’t hesitate to kill me especially if she finds out your my minor. Links are stronger on people
void of love and filled with darkness. I can’t waste the gift of life you gave back to me by staying around, hot stuff. If you can convince her to unlink with you then come find me, but for now…I have to go.”
He bent down and pressed a soft kiss to my wet lips. I closed my eyes, savoring it. By the time I opened them, Talon was gone, disappearing into the darkness of the night.
I stayed on the dirty motel floor crying for minutes or hours. I couldn’t tell. My mind was screaming to follow after Talon, but my body wouldn’t move. He said Raven would kill him, and my loyalty to him, even now, kept me from chasing him down and putting him in danger. After all I’d done for him, I’d hoped he would come back, mind changed and would want to help me. But he wouldn’t. I knew deep inside Talon was selfish and only cared for himself. It made me hate the fact that I loved him even more. The worst part was I had no one else to turn to; no friends, family. No one. I was alone―alone and so very afraid….
Suddenly, my palm began to itch as coldness seeped in. I stared at my hand as the closed eye in the center of the pentagram opened. I screamed. The hazel eye that was staring back at me narrowed. The coldness became unbearable in seconds. My skin turned blue, and I could no longer feel or move my hand.
The black symbol began to swirl in my palm as it ripped and tore the skin apart. Blood sputtered on the ground. I cried out in agony. The blood ran black from her palm to the floor where it gathered in a pool that looked more like tar than blood. The thick liquid began to wave and rise from the ground. I wept as I watched the black blood take shape. The dark pool towered over me, weaving and waving until finally it took the shape of a woman―a woman dressed head to toe in black with a veil covering her face.
“Raven…” I wept, my body still froze in place.
The dark witch tilted her covered head slowly.
“Hello, Kim Walker. Excuse my unannounced appearance, but it’s time to pay your debt to me. I have mission for you.”
Chapter 50
Pure: A Paranormal Romance Page 55